Disclaimer: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and all associated characters, settings and stories are the rightful subjects of Hasbro, the HUB, Studio B, and Lauren Faust.
Chapter 30
The morning came quickly to everypony, but especially Rainbow Dash. The night had revealed much to her. She still didn't understand most of it, but she knew enough to ask questions and see for herself what her guards were talking about.
Making her way through the palace the guards subtly pointed in the direction of the dungeons and she quickly found the entrance. Not surprisingly the door was locked but a nearby guard whispered where a key was kept. She found it with ease and made her way down the dark, damp, and cold steps towards the cells.
Once arriving she saw a Night Guard sitting at the entrance, calmly doing his duty. He noticed her and hastily rose and saluted her.
"At ease," she stated.
"Permission to speak, Lieutenant?"
"Granted."
"What are you doing down here?"
"I've come to investigate. Your guard and my guard have been in close contact about the recent events regarding Magicon and the two ponies down here. May I enter?"
"Certainly. Who do you wish to see first?"
"Princess Cadance."
The guard unlocked the door the dungeons and escorted Rainbow through the dimly lit hallways until they reached a celled hallway. Rainbow could see inside the cells and it was not pretty at all. They were old, cowered in water, mold, and asbestosis. Everything was decrepit and it did not look comfortable at all. They slowly walked further down the hallway until they reached a cell and stopped.
"You have a visitor, Princess Cadance," stated the guard.
In the dim light Rainbow could faintly see a large pony rise and make her way towards her. Coming into the light Rainbow stared shockingly at the alicorn in front of her. Princess Cadance was a complete wreck. Her mane out-of-control, her face saturated with tears, and dirty all over. Yet her eyes lit up at the sight of Rainbow Dash.
"Rainbow?" she asked softly.
"Yes. I'm here, Cadance."
Walking as close as she could they embraced each others hooves and attempted to give each other an affectionate hug, between the bars that separated them.
"The guard told me everything," Rainbow said.
"Okay," Cadance muffled.
"I'm so sorry to see what happened to you. I begged Magicon to change his mind but he refused."
"I don't think he'll ever change his mind. He's extremely stubborn and practically insane."
"I just can't believe what he did to you and your husband."
"My husband? What did he do to my husband?"
"You don't know?"
"No."
Rainbow made an uneasy face, unsure whether or not she should be the pony to tell Cadance about her husband.
"Well…um…it seems that your husband was never away on military matters. He was here in Canterlot the whole time."
"What?"
"Yeah…he's down here in the dungeons. He's been here ever since Princess Luna died."
"What!?"
"I'm sorry you have to hear this."
"No, no, no, Rainbow. Thank you. I just…never knew."
"You wouldn't. Nopony is supposed to know other than Magicon and the guards which take an oath of silence. It's only because they trust me that they told me about your husband."
"Why…why is he down here?"
"For attacking Magicon head-on."
Cadance turned from Rainbow and looked at the stone floor. She was beyond the point of crying. She just wanted to see her husband again.
"Listen, Cadance, I know it's really hard for you, as it is for me, but I need you to be strong for Equestria. I'm going to talk to your husband right now and see what I can do for him. Then I'll ask Magicon, once again, to set you free."
"Thank you, Rainbow."
"I do hope you can forgive my guard for what they've done to you."
"They're just doing their job. I know it's not right, but I can't blame them. They were doing what they were trained to do. Tell them they are forgiven."
"Thank you, Princess."
"And thank you, Rainbow Dash."
"You're welcome, Princess Cadance."
They embraced each other in another hug, both hoping that Cadance would be freed, both hoping that Magicon would change, both hoping that Equestria would be restored.
After a few long moments they split with a few 'good-byes and good lucks' to each other. The Night Guard then escorted Rainbow through the labyrinth of dark and empty cells and hallways to Shining Armor.
Unlike Cadance's cells, these cells had no bars, just doors with window slots. There were more guards lining the hallways here and Rainbow felt like they were watching her with a careful eye.
Arriving at Shining's cell the guard unlocked the door, slowly opened it, and allowed Rainbow Dash to walk inside. It was brutally dark and the guard handed a torch to Rainbow who held it with her as she walked in. She didn't see anypony at first but the sound of clanging chains told her otherwise.
Turning towards the direction of the sound Rainbow cautiously made her way forward as Shining Armor's frame became visible. Rainbow almost dropped her torch at the sight of him, but took a deep breath and did her best to remain calm.
The chains remained clasped around his hooves and a large metallic device hung on his horn, keep his head low. He lay there, motionless, only his faint breathing could be heard. His white coat and blue mane were barely recognizable under the dirt and grime that covered him. And the smell was absolutely filthy, but Rainbow remained resolute and did her best to stay strong for him. This was her superior, they pony she directly served.
"Shining?" she asked.
"Who are you?" he hoarsely asked, not raising his head.
"Your lieutenant."
He raised his head and squinted at the light, making out the cyan pony with the rainbow mane in front of him.
"Rainbow? Is that you?"
"Yes, captain."
"Captain? Please, I'm no captain. You're the captain now."
"No, Shining, you're still captain in the eyes of the Royal Guard and me."
He sighed, "What are you doing here?"
"Seeing for myself what the guard told me."
"They told you about me?"
"And Cadance."
"Is she still under the hex?"
"No, but she's now a prisoner here just like you."
"What?!"
"She broke free from the hex then Magicon promptly arrested her. I just visited her. She conveys her love for you."
"I can't believe this. First me, then my wife, and Celestia knows who next."
"I'm sorry I had to be the bearer of bad news."
"No, Rainbow, you did the right thing. What else do I need to know?"
"I told Cadance that you're down here. She's probably either celebrating that you're alive or weeping for you."
"Or both." He paused. "It doesn't matter anyway. The fact is that we're both stuck down here thanks to one bastard of a pony upstairs."
Rainbow remained silent. "I can't state my personal feelings toward him. But I will tell you that my opinion of him has changed."
"You're still new and naïve. Don't be foolish and fall into his trap. Once you get close to him he just springs and destroys you."
"Is that what he did to you that night?"
Shining was silent after hearing that question. He recently asked, "Did the guard tell you that?"
"They rumored it, though nothing is confirmed."
He sighed and motioned Rainbow to come over to him.
"It's not easy for me to say this," he whispered. "But let me be the one to clarify your thoughts. The guards have taken an extreme risk by telling you as much as they could and you're at risk for what you're doing. But, let me put your thoughts at rest. Yes…we did it that night."
He hesitated on those last words but Rainbow heard them clearer than any bell. She paused a few moments before calmly speaking.
"Shining, I just want to let you know, that I don't care what you did or what you feelings you had. What happened happened. There's no point in holding it in. Anyway, I still respect you. You are still my captain."
"Thank you, Lieutenant Dash."
"Please, call me Rainbow Dash."
"Okay, thank you, Rainbow Dash."
They hugged each other.
"I will make things right, I promise."
"Thank you for everything, Rainbow."
She smiled and broke from the hug and rose. She gave a one last look and smile towards her captain before the guard closed the door behind her. She hated the sound, knowing that it meant more time that he had to spend in the cell.
As she slowly walked towards the exit of the dungeons her mind slowly understood what had transpired. Shining Armor had cheated on his wife with Magicon then Magicon betrayed him and threw him in jail. He had never left Canterlot; it had all been a lie. Magicon had lied about him and possibly other things. But Rainbow didn't dwell on the other possibilities. She had one goal right now: confront Magicon, get some real answers from him, and release his two prisoners.
She ignored the advice of the older guardsponies. They were old fools, mired in Equestria's old traditions. This was the new, rougher, tougher, dirtier, and more dangerous Equestria. One that Rainbow Dash was prepared for and it was this preparedness that drove her to spread her wings and soar out of the dungeons. She was doing the right thing, just like Applejack had said.
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Fluttershy welcomed the sunrise and its prospects for her. Today, she would help her contribution to psychology and show everypony that Magicon had made the right decision in putting her in charge of the Health and Safety Department. Much like Equestria, she had changed. A new and more confident Fluttershy had replaced the quiet and scared one. Though her old self was still there, it was small compared to the growing importance of the new Fluttershy. It wasn't arrogant, like another self she had, just confident and more assertive.
She was doing good for Equestria by making it safer for everypony. Now Magicon needed her, even if he didn't realize it. She was the never kind of pony to leave something unattended, especially another living creature. Magicon was suffering sleep depravation and had the potential to make major errors and judgments. Equestria couldn't afford that. He had to be his best all the time and Fluttershy had to help him be that pony.
She had spent the rest of the night researching on sleep problems and nightmares, becoming more convinced that she could solve them or at least make them bearable for him as she read into her books and journals. The study of sleep had fascinated ponies for centuries and hundreds of theories had been hypothesized about why ponies sleep and why they dreamed. Fluttershy ignored many of them and focused on the nightmares. Though theories abounded about them, Fluttershy only wanted to know what she could do to help Magicon. The best solution was to talk to him and allow him to consciously describe what he was experiencing and what might be triggering them.
Satisfied that was the answer Fluttershy decided to speak to Magicon immediately, in case he had any dreams or nightmares from his sleep.
Knocking softly on his door, Fluttershy heard no answer. Turning the knob and slowly opening the door, Fluttershy peaked in to see a sleeping Magicon in his bed. She quietly entered and closed the door softly behind her, being extra cautious to not disturb the sleeping unicorn.
Quietly walking over to the unicorn, she put a hoof to his forehead and was relieved to find no fever. Checking his pulse, she was further relieved by its calm and steady beat. He seemed completely healthy. Deciding to keep watch over him just to be on the safe side Fluttershy went over to Magicon's desk to grab the chair when she noticed a small note on the desk.
It was glowing a crimson red, no doubt from some type of magical spell. She didn't grab it; the glow might be a protective spell that might hurt her. Besides, she could read it anyway.
'Why would somepony put a spell on an opened note?' she wondered as she checked over her shoulder. Magicon remained motionless, other than his slowly rising and falling chest.
'I really shouldn't be snooping, I know better. But maybe Magicon wrote this. Maybe it can help with understanding his sleep problems. Maybe it's a description of his dream. Only one way to find out. Be a strong girl, Fluttershy. You can do this.'
She took a deep breath and began slowly reading the note. The cursive wasn't Magicon's; she had seen his writing so many times. But it wasn't only the hoofwriting that was different, it was what it spelled.
Magicon,
It is with the heaviest heart that I write this letter to you. I can't believe that it has come to this, but I must be brief. I don't know how much longer I have yet to live. Regardless of if I do or not rest assured that Equestria is safe. My military position has been compromised and I've been forced into hiding forever. I cannot return to Equestria and if I did, I risk the safety of the ponies I've sworn to protect. Do not look for me, do not send a search party after me, it would only result in more bloodshed. You've done what you could to protect me and Equestria and I thank you. Let Equestria know that I carried my duty to the very end. Tell Cadance and Twilight I love them.
Yours,
Shining Armor
Fluttershy read the letter with shocked eyes and a bursting heart. It just couldn't be possible. Shining Armor captured? Not escaping? Possibly dead? It was just too sad, too incomprehensible, and too wrong!
"Shocking, isn't it?" said a deep voice behind her that made her jump into the air.
Gasping and turning around, Fluttershy saw that Magicon had awoken and was standing directly behind her. A calm, but strange look bore his face. Fluttershy couldn't tell what it was that made it so strange, but it didn't look like his normal self.
"I'm sorry for startling you, Fluttershy."
"It's…it's…alright, Magicon," she gasped as she landed back on her hooves.
"I was hoping you wouldn't have to read that." He stretched his hoof to the note.
"I…just can't believe it."
"I can't either."
"Why?"
"To protect us. By sacrificing himself, Shining Armor is protecting the ponies he loves."
"Surely you're going to search for him."
"I tend to listen to the words of the ponies in the military, especially a pony like Shining Armor. I trust him to know what is best, even if it regrettably means not sending ponies for him."
"But you can't be serious?"
"Unfortunately, I am."
"You're allowing the highest military pony in Equestria just to fall off the face of Equestria just like that?"
"I don't have a choice. I don't know who captured him and I can't risk an international crisis."
"I can't…believe you. Do you have no kindness?"
"It's not lack of kindness; it's trusting the right ponies. I trust Shining Armor as should everypony. Speaking of trusting, mind telling me what you're doing in my room anyway?"
"Oh…I…umm…came to help you with your dreams and nightmares."
"Oh, is there something wrong?"
"Well, it's just…I've noticed you've been having trouble sleeping and with your nightmare from last night…I…uh…assumed they were causing sleeping troubles for you."
Magicon paused a moment to think. "Yes, Fluttershy, you are smart. I have been having trouble sleeping and it's because of those nightmares. But rest assured, I have a technique that will stop them from occurring."
"You do?"
"Yes and I'll do it as soon as possible so that I can sleep better."
"Oh, well…then that's great."
"Yes. Yes it is. Now, why don't you get some breakfast. I'll be down shortly."
"You don't need me?"
"No! I mean no thank you. I'll be fine."
"Alright," Fluttershy began walking towards the door as Magicon turned towards his bathroom. As she neared the door Magicon called her.
"Yes, Magicon?"
"Don't tell anypony about that note. Equestria will soon learn about it soon enough. Okay?"
"Okay," she mumbled and quietly left, defeated. Once outside she hung her head low and trudged down the halls.
Her attempt to help Magicon had failed. She hadn't been able to even get him to talk about his nightmares. He said he knew what to do, yet she had no idea whether he was being truthful or not. As she made her way down the halls Fluttershy noticed a cyan pony in military uniform quickly approaching her. She looked determined and focused and as she passed she didn't even acknowledge Fluttershy's presence.
'Well, that was strange,' she thought as she watched Rainbow continue down the hall. 'I wonder what she's up to.'
Deciding to find out Fluttershy turned around and followed Rainbow Dash, curious to see where she was going. Surprisingly, she saw Rainbow speak with the two guards outside Magicon's room and then enter it. Fluttershy didn't know what Rainbow needed to talk about or why, but she guessed it was something important. Yet she wouldn't be able to hear it. She would have to wait. Darting into the nearest room, Fluttershy sat herself down and waited.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
"Good morning, Lieutenant," greeted Rainbow as she entered the room.
"Good morning, sir," she replied. "How are you feeling?"
"Very good, actually. I needed that sleep."
"Yes, sir."
"Now, what can I do for you?"
"I have some questions that I need to ask you. I'm a little confused about recent events and need to know the truth."
"Of course, be my guest."
Rainbow took a deep breath and asked, "Have you changed your mind with regards to Princess Cadance?"
Magicon paused, his good moon dispersing instantly. "Yes, I have. She will be pardoned in full."
"Oh, thank goodness," relieved Rainbow. "Now, has there been any news regarding Shining Armor?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Oh…umm…because the guard has been…bothering me about it."
Magicon gave a suspicious glance at Rainbow, unsure whether she was lying or not. "Do you really need to know?"
"It would be a great help to them knowing where there captain is and when he will return."
"Yes, I can see the merit in that. Very well, Rainbow, there is a note on my desk from him. I only received it last night. I was hoping I would be able to deliver its message in a better fashion, but you leave me no choice. Go ahead and read it."
She made one last glance at Magicon before running over to the desk and read the magically protected note. As she read confusion overcame her face. Nothing was adding up. This was Shining Armor's hoofwriting but she had just seen him earlier. She knew that he had never traveled on some mission; he had always been in Canterlot. But his hoofwriting was unmistakable. Either this was a forgery or Shining was hiding or something else was at work here. The possibilities suddenly became endless to her and she had no idea what to do.
"I…can't believe it," she finally admitted.
"Believe it or not, Shining Armor is not going to return."
"I can believe that, what I can't believe is the letter. Shining has been here-"
"What do you mean?" asked Magicon, quick to cut her off.
"Oh, I mean this letter just doesn't add up."
"How so?"
"Well, because Shining isn't away. He's here in Canterlot."
"And what makes you think that?"
"Because when I went down to the dungeons to speak with Princess Cadance, I found… evidence that Shining Armor was there."
An angry and crossed look overcame Magicon's face. He realized where she had been and what she had discovered, though to what extent remained a mystery.
"You mean you went down to the dungeons?"
"Yes, sir. Is that illegal?"
"For a pony of your ranks, no. But you shouldn't have gone down there."
"I had to talk to Princess Cadance. She needed help."
"She deserved what she got."
Rainbow's jaw dropped. "How can you say that?!"
"Because it's the truth. She attacked me and had to be punished. It's only out a deal that I am pardoning her."
"Oh, a deal? Like the ones you made with Shining Armor?"
"What are you talking about?"
"I know what you did with him that night. I heard it right from the source."
A shocked expression overcame Magicon and he was quick to react, slapping Rainbow across the face.
"You are out of line, Lieutenant. Now, you will not speak of this to anypony and obey my orders," he hissed.
Rainbow rose quickly and charged directly at Magicon. She was too fast for him to block and she tackled him instantly. They were suddenly brawling, hoof to hoof. Rainbow tried to throw punches and attacks at Magicon who dodged some and was hit by others. He tried to counter with some of his own, but Rainbow was faster, stronger, and more experienced. It wasn't going well for him at all.
She tossed him over and he was suddenly on his stomach as she forcefully grabbed his hooves and pulled them behind his back. It was painful, but Magicon only quietly winced.
"You're going to jail, Rainbow, for what you're doing."
"You're the one who's going to jail. My captain will be freed. I don't care what personal feelings you had for him, it's still wrong to throw him in jail afterwards."
"You pathetic pegasus, you have no idea what he did!"
"I have a good idea."
"No you don't! You think it was only about sex? Ha! You're dumber than I thought!"
She pulled on his hooves tighter causing him to yell in pain.
"I know why you put me in this position," she stated. "You thought I couldn't handle the guard. You thought they would put me in my place. Well, they did, protecting Equestria from you!"
"Oh yes, launching a coup against me would've been just perfect."
Rainbow tried to hide her shock and was thankful that she was behind the unicorn so he couldn't see her shocked expression.
"You think I don't know what's going on in my own guard? Please. So much for your loyalty to Equestria. You don't deserve that element."
"I'm being loyal to my friends. That's more than Equestria."
"What friends? When was the last time you seriously hung out with them? When was the last time you even spoke to them?"
"Shut up!" she yelled once again pulling his hooves.
"You think you are doing Equestria a great service, but let me tell you that this will end in your ultimate destruction. How unfortunate. I was planning to promote you to become the next Captain of the Royal Guard. Too bad that won't happen!"
"Not gonna happen," she said before a sudden blast knocked her off Magicon. Turning towards him, she saw him slowly getting up, his horn charged. Not wasting a minute she charged but he was prepared, casting a shield that Rainbow slammed directly into. She wouldn't be swayed so easily though, deciding to take to the sky and soar around the room. She made attempts to hit Magicon from her height but was blocked by his spells.
Magicon in turn shot freezing spells, paralyzing spells, and dark curses at her as she dodged them with relative ease. They continued their game of cat and mouse for Celestia knew how long; time was so distorted when one is in a frenzy. Suddenly a bolt of lightning crashed right in front of Rainbow and a quick spell crashed against her, forcing her to the ground.
She landed with a heavy thud and chains swarmed around her before she was able to pull away. She grunted and yelled, but the chains refused to budge. She tried to fly but ropes quickly encircled her wings and forced them closed and pressed against her body. She was now a prisoner.
"Don't bother resisting or trying to break free," Magicon said in his dark voice. "Shining wasn't able to and neither will you. You know I was hoping that it wouldn't come to this, but it looks like it has. Come, Rainbow Dash I have plans for you."
He telekinetically grabbed his old book from the bookshelf and walked up to Rainbow Dash. With a loud thud, the book slammed against Rainbow's face causing her to collapse and Magicon quickly added a knock-out spell for good measure. He then teleported himself and Rainbow out of the room. He had plans for her, big ones. He had